MNGOP, DFL Reps. argue heatedly about who's sticking it to middle class [VIDEO]

By Aaron Rupar Wed., Mar. 14 2012 at 11:39 AM

Garofalo (left) upset Rukavina with his counter-intuitive claim that DFLers are no good for middle class Minnesotans.

State Rep. Tom Rukavina, D-Virginia, may be a small guy, but he was prepared to "take it outside" yesterday in response to a GOP Representative's claim that the DFL "stuck it to the middle class."

After Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, made that comment, a heated argument with Rukavina ensued that touched upon everything from unions to tax policy to class warfare.

Rukavina and Garofalo each sit on the House Taxes Committee, which was holding a hearing on a bill introduced by Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, that would eliminate the state's business tax while reducing property tax returns to renters.

The Uptake reported that the Rukavina-Garofalo tête-à-tête "brought action in the House tax committee to a standstill," though a vote on the business tax cut is still expected later this week.

Here's the video:

Tags:

business taxes, House Taxes Committee, middle class, Pat Garofalo, Tom Rukavina

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Dave2

Republicans doing more for the middle class than Democrats? Wow! Let me count the ways: Are these the same wealthy Republicans who live in this land that gave them the opportunity to become wealthy and yet refuse to pay more – or even equal – in income tax rates?Are these the same Republicans who are now trying to pass a ridiculous voter ID law that will restrict voter privileges for the poor? (make that Democrat voters)Are these the same Republicans who donate millions to conservative pacs that are dedicated to breaking the backs of the working peoples labor unions? (does ”right to work” ring a bell?)Are these the same Republicans who would like to give the Wall Streeters that put us in this recession, the unregulated capacity to do it all over again?Are these the same Republicans whose bankers accepted bail-out money and then sat on it or invested it in foreign companies?Are these the same Republican oil barons who get $4 billion yearly in taxpayer subsidies at the same time they’re earning record profits?Are these the same Republican complainers who scream “class warfare” from one side of their face and then insist on the need to cheapen health care and social security from the other?Are these the same Republican war mongers that can’t seem to start and keep us in everlasting wars? Yeah, Republicans sure do love the middle class.

Mn Voter

Typical Thug. Rukavina's hero is FDR the racist who illegally abused citizens constitutional rights; and even admitted it. If Rukavina wants to "take it outside" I'd be happy to oblige him.

I was thinking of donating my kidney but thanks to the democraps I'd have to pay a tax on it. thanks for nothing.

Deadslant

You fucking republicans!!! You really are some arrogant bastards! Your whole party is based on confused soles. You don't even know what you stand for other than complete opposite of a democrat. Pro life and pro guns(ridiculous) pro corporate America and pro religion(what the hell??) you aren't against raising taxes you have proven that your only against raising the for the rich. Job creation? Your the fucking morons who enacted the bill for NAFTA which is one of the major reasons for our jobs being outsourced.

Thomas Anderson

congrats on being super uneducated!

Mn Voter

Touchy, feely, omg did I hit a nerve. Hotlunch tells you below that Clinton signed NAFTA. He is correct and you are wrong on so many levels and accounts. I don't need to stoop to your level but you might check your meds.

You really need to look in a mirror about being for anything opposite of a republican. Try indepent or Ron Paul 2012. He is the only one that truly understands what is happening to our economy.

HotLunch

Clinton signed NAFTA. The Dems are no different than Repubs, they're just part of the "in" crowd, that's why you like them.

Deadslant

Garofolo should be ashamed of himself for even pretending he cares a out the middle class

PutSomeRanchOnIt

Rukavina, FUCK YEAH!

HotLunch

Wow, the GOP is in no position to accuse anyone else of such a thing. Deflection, projection, anyone? Their arrogance knows no bounds. Bring on November!